Mechanical time-fuse.



H. H. CUMMINGS.

MECHANICAL TIME FUSE.

APPLICATION msn AuG.23. 1915.

1,182,839, Patented May 9, 1916.

MECHALCAL TIME-FUSE,

i auf 'amic/liao a; fern:

ii-c it known thu` tiranni; 4 citizen of the lriiiteil State it aresilient Newton in the county of Middlesex and. i'tate oiMassachusetts; linie invented an improvement in MechanicalTiiiic-liuscs, of hicli thc following description, in conne@ 4n with theaccompanying drawings, is a nccificzition, like characters :in the draw-,igs representing like parts.

This invention rclntes to incchaniczil time I' particnlariy adapted ivif use in conM ition with cniiiosii'cs of various types, such., forexample. iis slirainiol or other explosive shells, :un also canaiiie ofuse in other relations. i

in order that the principio of the invention may he readilyiinflcrstooil, I have dis ciosed n single embodiment thereof iii theaccompanying drawing wherein I have represented the invcntion asziiiilicii to a shrapnel or other explosive Shel in' the drawing: Figure"l is a vertical, central section of a shrapnei or other explosive shellhaving my invciition applied thcreto; Fig. 2 is a hoigizoiital .section-of said fuse upon thc line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. Si is a detail View ofthe table und supported pars looking down in Fig( 3; Figfi4 is a view ofthe same parts looking toward the leftin Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is :i View ofthc. same parts looking up in Fig. 2; 6 is a lplan kien of the graduatedtapfl vlfcrahly erniiitgicci by nie in the practicl o? mi: inienv :fion:ansi Fig'. 7 a sc ctiom iicinii itil/ic li, CUM Miri ns,

:nim roll und its siiiiport. y q n fiirapnel ano other expwin'c snails Ineun hcrctoforc provided with pi' 'f rk which are intcnded to in sonyiivimn in hin'n in predetta( Acd ic if' s in wir waaien., i Mci iimiliter "www "canse ivefiiintion Qg the rate of inarniiich aa inf haiiin voir-ii to f "i ifi ,Jini

lit im im c thc explo nent iiienns if i creare, iw swuiiicti df i 'Nemiiii-rist dich nsw Specification of Letters atentV tained., that the.slower the. spciui at which I im led ingaat 23, 1915. Serial Noa546,75??

ity of about 2606 cct. per r-:iicoiiii it follows that a heat once afc/min would have little practical control thc cxplosion of the shell.Escapeineiit mechanisms have been devised for ciiiilosirc shells whcrcinthere occiir asv miiny as '$580 to 500 beats iier second, the purposetl'iereoi' coing "to control the explosion ofKA the shcii with greataccuracy and at predetermined points, or in the 'immediate vicinitythereof. ln practice,i however, such high number oi' beats results ininaccuracy of oontroi, in the conrse of my cxpcrinicnts, i haar, :ascer-I'nay maintain `a constant or approximately constant cscapemennthcgreater thc {icgrce of accuracy ofcontrol My inventionV thcifci'ore, inont, aspect thereof contemplates the employment of a 'I5 ymechanicaltime 'fuse employing iin escape- -nieiit mechanism whereby greataccuracy of 'control may be effected. While this result may be securedin many'diiereiit Ways, I shall set forth one form of mechanism foraccomplishing the same.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth fully hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the body of the shell isindicated at 1, it being in part broken away. Such body may hc -mini@ ofthe usual material and is adnptcilto contain bullets or other missilesand :i suitable explosive. The upper portion of the hoch. is ofgenerally truncated, conical forni. and if. hercin shown as having atint., annular cnil i5 iiicrnasiiy threaded at 5 for the reception o? :ifuso naso a externally threaded at 55 and having an opstanding Harige 6suitably formed to receive a cap T which may hc of Sinin brass or anyother suitable material, Thee said can iP .iaptcd to he positioned afterthe inse inochanisni and cao-,acting parti-z haw been licicin the Saidfiangc 'fii'f,i"iie 1l with on annular groove 8 into n i inciimi head, 9of th!l cap i' may lise sin vB'ifniiitcrl within the H1 l the US@ ich L,rotto nii i'ftcci mi: which or annulus 14, which does not partake of therotation of the shell upon its axis or at most partakes thereof to alimited extent, and is intended to be restrained from rotation upon theinitial discharge of the shell by its own inertia. I have hereinrepresented said rings or annuli 1() and 14 as having upon their innersurfaces annular grooves 15 16 adapted loosely to receive a retainingring 17 having flanges 18, 19 bent to enter said grooves 15 and16. Saidretaining ring 17 does not cause rotation of the ring or annulus 14 withthe annulus 10` but serves merely to retain said members in pro errelation with each other during the lig t of -the shell. Mounted 'withinthe retaining ring 17 is a central receptacle 20 adapted to containblack powder or other suitable charging material and having appliedthereto a percussion cap 21l or other suitable portion of the detonatingmeans.

I contemplate the provision of any suitable means to cushion the timefuse mechanism during the initial projection of the shell. For thispurpose i preferably provide the fuse base with an annular chamber 22,or if desired, with a plurality of pockets, and therein I positionpreferably some plastic material which will cushion the fuse mechanismwithout, however, lmpartlng a rebound lthereto. For this purpose Ipreferably place in said chamber or pockets a suitable quantity ofsculptors modeling-clay indicated at 24, the same being preferably mixedwith glycerin. I also preferably provide air spaces, such, for example,as indicated at 25, 26, whereby I obtaln a cushion composed in part ofplastic material and in part of imprisoned air. The action of such acushion is to yield at the initial discharge of the shell, therebycushioning the fuse mechanism, without causing a rebound thereof.'Within the scope of my invention other suitable cushioning means may beemployed.

Fast to the ring or annulus 14 is the support for the fuse timingmechanism. In this,

formof my invention I provide a disk-like base 27 fast with the ring orannulus 14 and having secured thereto or formed therewith arms orprojections 28, 29 meeting or merging into each other at their upperends, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. Said arms or projections arerelatively narrow as indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, and constitute aninclosure and partial support for the fuse timing mechanism. Centrallyof the base 27 I provide an upright tube 30, preferably rigid with saidbase and herein shown as riveted into the central opening 32 in saidbase 27. lVithin the said tube 30 I loosely position a firing pin 33constituting a portion of the detonating means and so located thatitssmall', upright weight 39 having a depend- The said firing pin '33 isprovided with a collar or shoulder 35 limiting the upward -movement ofsaid pin by contact with the under surface of the base 27.

In order to prevent premature movement of the firing pin and theconsequent ignition of the charge, I may provide any suitable means.Herein for the purpose I have represented the upper endfgf the pin 33 asprovided with a head 36 somewhat spaced from the upper end of the tube30, in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Between the upper endof said tube 30 and the head 36 of the pin 33 I position a yoke-likewedge 37 adapted upon the initial discharge of the shell to beautomatically 4removed from its position between the head 36 and I theupper end ot' the tube 30, so as to permit the firing pin 33 to bedriven against the percussion cap when said pin is struck by the hammeror other suitable means upon its release by the fuse timing mechanism.For this purpose I have represented the said yoke-like wedge 37 aspivoted at 38 upon a ing arm 40 pivoted at 41. With the describedconstruction of parts, upon the discharge of the shell, the weight 39receives a relative outward or swinging movement upon its pivot 41, thuswithdrawing the yoke-like wedge 37 from beneath the head of the tiringpin 36 and leaving the latter in condition to be driven against thepercussion cap 11 at the pro er time.

In the disclosed em vodiment of the nvention, I provide the tube 30 witha collar or annular shoulder 42 and beneath the same I position with arunning fit upon said tube a circular table 43, the latter having anupstanding, central tianve 44. Between the table 43 and the base 2% Iposition a suitable spring or springs 45 tending normally to hold saidtable 43 against the collar or shoulder 42, but permitting it to yieldwith respect thereto. In order to restrain the table and supported partsof the fuse mechanism from rotation with the shell in its Hight ormarkedly to retard rotation of the table therewith, and particularlyduring the initial position of said flight, I provide said table with anopstanding weighted portion 46 which is eccentric to the axis ofrotation of the shell. I have herein represented the upper end of saidWeight 46 as provided with a bearing 47 to receive a depending pin 48120 positioned axially of the shell and supported by the arms 28, 29 attheir meeting point.' Said pin 48 is of sufficient length to supportsaid weight when the table 43 moves, relatively, toward the base 27. Thesaid weight 46 may be suitably recessed or otherwise shaped to permitportions of the fuse mechanism to be supported beneath the same upon thetable 43.

In the flight of the shell the ring or annulua 'iu rotates therewith,but the ring or annulus 14, being free therefrom. need not partake ofsuch rotation. 'lho action of the weight i6 is to restrain from rotationor to retard the rotation of tin` table i3 and parts supp-.Mod therebyand also the base 27 With its up anding arms 2u. and particularly duringthe initial flight of the shell.

In the disclosed en'ilmiliment of Iny invention, I -provide an nisin bymeans of which I control the time or period of operation or movement ofthe tiring pin and preferably I provide a plurality of escapementdevices which are arranged 'to operate out of unison ornonsyiarhronously. In the course of my experiments, l have ascertainedthat by providing a plurality of escapement devices and securing aresultant or composite movement of some suitable element or part, I maythereby obtain great accuracy of control. In the disclosed embodiment ofmy invention. I have provided an element to which I am enabledto'impart, or which I permit to partake of, a substantially continuousmovement inv one direction. This kpreferably do by providing a pair orother plurality of escapements operating alternately or out of unisonand in such manner that each escapement device permits a movement ofsaid element to be immediately or substantiallyv immediately followed bya permissive movement of said element through or controlled by the otherescapement. 4In this manner, I ma obtain, through a deadbeat or othersuitable escapement, the operation of said element at such a constant orotherwise suitable s eed as to control the explosion of the shel withgreat accuracy and at theA point desired or inthe immediate proximitythereof.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention I mount upon the table 43 abracket 49 having opstanding members 50, 51` wherein I position ahorizontal shaft 52, the bearing for said shaft 52 in the bracket member50 being slightly elongated as represented at 53 1n Fig. 5, so as topermit a slight rocking motion of said shaft from one end thereof as apivot, to and from the plane of the sheet, viewing Fig. 4. Theconstruction of parts is such that the'said shaft may have a slightpivotal movement in the bracketmember 51 in effecting such rockingrmotion, Fast upon one end of said shaft is a beveled gear 54 adapted tomesh with beveled pinions55 and 56 loose upon the stud 57 rising fromthe table 43. The beveled pinion 55 has fast therein an escapeN mentratchet 58 shown most clearly in Fig. 2. and the beveled pinion 56hasfast therein an escapement ratchet 59, the teeth whereof areoppositely positioned with respect to those of the ratchet 58. i

gui-rounding the shaft `42 is a coiled escapement mechaup the coilspring 60, thereby to spring 60, one end 61 whereof is secured to acollar 63 fast upon said shaft The other end of said spring is fixedlysecured to a collar 64 loose about the shaft and having a sleevedportion 55 extending into a split portion 66 of the bracket 50, saidsplit portion of said bracket being 'provided with a set screw 67 bymeans of which it may be tightened about the ,sleeve of said collar 64.The collary 64 is provided with one or more radial sockets 68, bymeans-of which the collar may be turned in order to wind give itsufficient tension to turn the shaft 52 when rotation thereof ispermitted byI the escapement ratchets 58, 59. Inasmuch as one end ofsaid springs 60 is fast to the shaft and the other end of the spring issecured to a support, the tendency of said spring 60 is to impart amovement of rotation to the shaft or element 52 in one direction, suchmovement being governed or controlled by the escapement ratchets 58, 59.

In the disclosed embodiment of my invention, I employ the shaft orelement 52 to impart movement to a controller for the hammer or othermeans by which the firing pin 33 is operated. Herein for the purpose Iprovide a tape 69 shown in Fig. 6 and which may be of any suitablematerial, such, for example, as paper or ribbon. The said tape isprovided with graduations 70 reading from the left toward the right inFig. 6, and preferably with an ungraduated portion 71 which maybesecured by inturning the ends 72 thereof into a slot in a drum 73 fastupon the shaft 52 and having a flange 75 shown most clearly in Figs. 3and'4. Between the, flange 75 of the drum and the member 51 of thebracket 49, I position a collar 76 upon the 'shaft 52 and I tighten thesaid drum with its flange against said collar to a sufficient extent bya thumb nut 77 upon the threaded end 78 of said shaft. Ro-v tation ofsaid shaft 62 thus tends to wind the tape 69 upon the drum 73 and tounwind it from the support. The said tape 69 may be coiled upon anysuitable support. Herein for the purpose I have represented a bracket 79secured to and upstanding from the table43 and having laterallyextending therefrom a short threaded pin or spindle 80 adapted toreceive thereon a drum 61 having a flange 82.-`The said pin or spindleS0 may have an annular shoulder thereon against which may bezipositioneda thumb nut. 83 received upon lthe threaded end 84 of said pin orspindle, thereby to hold said drum in position but to permit the tape t0be unwound therefrom by the rotation of the shaft or element 62.

Between the drums 7 3 and 79 the tape ex tends in a substantiallystraight or flat con4 dition yand passes beath two looped guides 85l R6secured to the table 43 and suitably spaced from each other. Betweensaid guides 85, 86 and beneath the tape I position an arm 87 connectedwith the hammer mechanism, theconstruction and arrangement of partsbeing such that when the tape has been sutliciently wound upon the drum7 3 to be withdrawn from the guide 85, the arml 87 ofthe hammermechanism is released, thus releasing the hammer and permitting it tostrike the firing pin at the prear ranged time and thereby to explodethe shell.

In the vicinity of the tapev69 I position a suitable gage 88 by means ofwhich the tape may be initially set so that it will act to release thearm 87 at a prearranged or predetermined time or period. The graduationsupon the tape may indicate periods of time and I may thus control theperiod of explosion of the shell within a very minute fraction of asecond. The arm 87 laterally extends from' an arm 89 of a bell cranklever pivoted at 90 upon the table and having a second arm 91 providedwith a notched portion 92 which receives the end of an arm 93 of ahammer pivoted at 94 and provided with a head 95 which, when the hammeris released, strikes the head of the firing pin 33 and drives the sameagainst the percussion cap 11. The hammer lever is provided with asuitable spring 96 coiled about the pivot thereof and so supported' thatit tends to throw the hammer head with force against the firing pin whenreleased by the tape.

Upon the table 43, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, I mount a bracket orcasing 97,'

wherein is supported the spindle 57 whereon the escapement ratchets andtheir beveled pinions are loosely mounted. Within said casing or bracketl also mount in/,a preferably upright position the shaft 98 of anysuitable escapement operating device. I have herein represented the saidshaft as having fast thereon a balance wheel 99 and a hair spring 100which may be of any suitable.construction, not herein necessary morefully to describe. I also mount in an upright position within the casingor bracket 97 a shaft 101 having fast thereon oppositely positioned,double-ended pawls or pallets 102, 103, which control the operation ofthe escapement ratchets 58, 59. Fast upon the shaft 101 is an arm 101extending toward the balance wheel and having its end suitably mountedupon the pin 105 thereon, whereby in the usual operation of the balancewheel the said arm 104 is rocked to and fro, thereby to oscillate theshaft 101 with its oppositely set pawls or pallets 102, 103.

In order to prevent operation of the balance wheel` prior to thdischarge of the shell. I may provide any suitable means. Herein and asshown most clearly in Fig. 2, I have provided a bracket 106 having aaccurately control the time of firing.

pivotal portion 107 wherein is frictionally received a brake member 108having a weighted outer end 109 and an inner angular end 110 adapted toenter a notch in the periphery of the balance wheel and to restrain thesame from movement. The initial flight of the shell effects a movementof the weighted end 109 of the brake in such direction as to remove theangular end 110 from the balance whel, thus permitting the same to beginits movement, thereby to permit alternate movements of the escapementratchets 58, 59.

It will be clear from the foregoing description tht the beveled gear 54is in mesh with v.the beveled pinions 55 and 66of the escapementratchets 58. and 59, Each beveledgpinion 55, 56 is temporarilyrestrained from movement by its escapement ratchet, but the constructionand operation of the parts are such that instantly upon the release ofthe ratchet 58 and its pinion 59 the shaft 52 receives movement ofrotation from its coil spring50, and upon said ratchet 58 and its pinion55 being again held from action, the ratchet 59 and the pinion 56immediately acts to give movement of rotation in the saine direction tothe shaft 52 so that I may in this manner render the movement of theshaft 52 substantially constant or with but very slight and practicallyimperceptible periods of dwell in between. Thus the tape 69 may be drawnalong at a substantially constant rate and thereby very Owing to thefact that the shaft 52 receives a pivotal mounting in the bracket 51 andmay vibrate slightly infits bearing in the bracket member 50, it will beevident that thebeveled pinion 54 has a driving relation lfirst with thebeveled pinion 55 and then with the beveled pinion 56 between andrelative to which it has a slight rocking or vibrating movement, so thatwhen one of said pinions 55 or 56 is restrained from rotative movementby its escapement ratchet 58 or 59, the rotation of the beveled `gear'54is arrested thereby at its point of mesh and the diametrically oppositeteeth of bevel gear 54 impart rotative movement 115 to the other pinion,so that the shaft 52 is given a movement of substantially constantrotation through the agency of the coil spring 60.

From the foregoing description, it will he evident that I have provideda mechanical time fuse peculiarly adapted for eXplosive shells butcapable of use in other relations. The construction of parts is such.that the fuse mechanism is cushioned during the flight of the shell orduring the initial portion of the flight and likewise is` restrainedfrom rotative movement with the shell or has such movement sufficientlyretarded to protect and prevent derangement of the fuse mechanism.Moreover, the

- shell, it is obvious that it is adapted for use in other relations.The escapement 1s not herein claimed broadlv as the same is 'broadlyclaimed in another application.

vHaving thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, Idesire 1t to be understood thatI although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense. and not for purposesof limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in thefollowing claims.

Claims:

L An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, a mechanicaltime fuse carried by the projectile, `but independent in operation ofthe said rotation of the projectile, and means to retard said fuse fromrotation fvith the projectile.

2. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, anescapement-controlled mechanical time fuse carried by the projectile butindcj'iendcnt in operation of the said rotation of the projectile, andmeans to retard iuse from rotation with the prrr jectile.

3. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, a mechanicaltime fuse can ried the projectile but independent in operation ot the drotation of the projectile, and a Weight to resist centrifugal actionand thereby to said fuse from rotation with the projectile.

4. An explosive projectile adapted to ro tate in its flight, e.mechanical time fuse carried by the prt.. litile but independent inoperation o the said rotation of the projectile, a table within theprojectile carryinpr said fuse., and means to retard said fuse fromrotation with the projectile.

An explo e projectile adapted to ro'- tate in its night, a n'iechanicaltime fuse carried by the proj@ tile but independent in operation of theiid rotation oi' the projectile, a table within tiic projectilecarryingr said fuse, and action and ther., f to retard said fuse fromrotation with the projectile.

6. An explosive projwf'le, adapted to ro tate. in its liifrht, amechanical time fuse carried by the projectile but independent inoperation oi'. the said rotation of the projectile. cushio ncans forsaid` fuse and meani to retarr fuse from rotation with the projectile.

7. in explosive projectile adapted to ro tate in its fight, an,escapement-controlled mechanical time fue@ carried by the projecfor saidand means to retard said i weight to resistcentrifugal tile butindependent in operation fifths. rotation of the projectile. cnshionifrom rotation with the projectile.

8. An explosive projectile adapted to rotatcjin its flight, a mechanicaltime fuse carried by the projectile but independent in cperation of thesaid rotation'of the projectile, plastic cushioning andrebound-preventing means for said fuse, and means to retard said fusefrom rotation with the projectile.

9. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of non-synchronizedescapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of saidescapements, means whereby said escapements conjointly impart asubstantially continuous movement to said ele` ment, and a detonationcontrolling strip operated by said element.

10. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of non-synchronizedescapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of saidescapements, means whereby said escapements conjointly impart asnbstantially continuous movement to said ele ment and a detonationcontrolling strip wound by said element.

l1. A mechanical time fuse having a plnrality ofnon-synchronizedescapemcnts, an element to which movement is transmittedby each of said escapements, .means whereby said escapeinents conjointlyimpart a. result ant movement to said element and a detona tioncontrolling strip operated by said element.

12. A mechanical time fuse having a plurality of nonsynchronizedescapements, an element to which movement is transmitted by each of saidescapements, means whereby said escapements conjcintly impart a resultant nioven'i it to said element and a detonation contro znp; strip Woundby said element. i anieal time fuse having a pin rality ofiton-synchronized escapenients. a shaft to which movement of rotation istransmitted by each escapement, means whereby a resultant .movement ofsubstantially constant rotation is transmitted by said escapements tosaid shaft, a detonating;

controlling strip there-for opernzed escapenients., e.

tially con; s is transmit L said escapements to s shaft, a, detone f igdevice, an graduate ans operate-.fl by i detonating de fuse having irality ot iized escapeme shaftto kich movement et' rotation transmittedby each escapement, means i control l5: A ni whereby a resultantmovement of schets@ Y tially constant rotation is transmitted by saidescapements to said shaft, a detonating device, and a graduated stripadapted to be Wound by said shaft and controlling said detonatingdevice.

16. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, means to movesaid strip from one support to another, and a detonating devicecontrolled by said movement of said strip.

17. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated stripoperatively connected to and adapted to`be moved by said escapementt anda detonating device controlled in action by said strip.

18. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated stripoperatively connected to and adapted to be moved by said escapement, andincluding two supports from and under which the strip,V is wound, and adetonating device controlled in action by said strip.

19. A mechanical time fuse comprising an escapement, a graduated stripoperatively connected to and adapted to be moved by said esca ement, asupport from which said strip is rawn by the action of said escapement,and a detonatng device controlled in action Yby said strip;

20. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, a supportwhereon said .strip may be coiled, a second support spaced from theformer and onto which the strip may be drawn, and a detonating deviceincluding a member held from movelnent by the portion of the stripbetween s aid supports.

21. A mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, means to Windthe same from one support onto another, and a detonating devicecontrolled by said strip.

A 'mechanical time fuse comprising a graduated strip, a support ivhereonsaid strip may be coiled, means to lwind said strip from` said supportonto another support, and a detonating device restrained from action bysaid strip.

23. An explosive projectile adapted to rotate in its flight, amechanical time fuse carried by said projectile but independent inoperation of the said rotation of the projectile cushioning means 22, 24for the said time fuse and means including the weight 46, to retard saidfuse from rotation with the projectile.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

i HE'NRYpH. CUMMINGS. Witnesses:

ROBERT Hb ICAMMLM, MAY H. Lower.

